21/09/2025
POLICE in Lusaka have arrested three individuals, including a traditional healer and his 17-year-old son, for allegedly performing rituals at Leopard’s Hill Cemetery on the grave of a deceased police officer.
The suspects were found at midnight with fresh bleeding tattoos on their bodies, gathered around the grave of late chief inspector Thole, of Chilenje Police Station, who died in 2018.
Zambia Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed the arrests and identified the suspects as Venture Mulilanduba, 40, a businessman from Makeni and owner of Denotative Funeral Parlour at the University Teaching Hospitals premises; John Nyirenda, 46, a traditional doctor from Lundazi and his juvenile son from Chilenje.
According to Mr Hamoonga, Lusaka Central Police Station received a report of trespass at 00:00 hours on September 18 from a patrol officer with Lusaka Divisional Operations Office.
The officer reported that while conducting patrols in Bauleni area, his team intercepted the trio at Leopard’s Hill Cemetery at approximately 23:30 hours on September 17.
Investigations revealed that Mulilanduba, who had been experiencing business and marital difficulties, was introduced to Nyirenda in May this year by a mutual acquaintance.
Police say the suspects trespassed onto the grave of chief inspector Thole, a relative of the traditional healer, where they allegedly began performing the rituals.
The suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues.